Formula One: Toyota Still Has Problems

Before the season began, I wrote an article regarding Toyota's inability to challenge the leaders with their massive budget.

This year, they have made it onto the podium for the first time since 2006 in Melbourne and have had a reasonable consistency, although they haven't finished in the points in three races this season. In my mind, they are definitely improving as a team but I would say that they are still throwing so much money to the extent that it is ineffective.

They have 23 points at the halfway point, 10 more than they were able to secure all last year, 12 less than in 2006, and 65 less than in 2005. They have the ability to be at the same level as in 2005, but no more.

They are the world's largest car manufacturer and could afford to be losing, but Formula One is about challenging for wins and for glory—a glory that many teams and drivers want to be a part of. What should be done?

The first order of business is to treat racing as racing, not as a business. Formula One gives you international recognition, but if all you're doing is having your name out there and not winning anything, there's a problem.

If you're spending billions and not winning anything, that's an even bigger problem. And that is what the Toyota F1 team is known for.

What should be done next is decrease the funding for Toyota. That's right, decrease.

I do not think that Toyota spends any more on Bridgestone tires or carbon fibre than other teams, so why do other teams operate on smaller budgets and get more points, and still can challenge Toyota for points and more? Decrease the funding for this team and it will cause change. This leads to my next point.

Finally, the structure at the top has to be more race-oriented as opposed to business oriented.

If you look at the current team principal, Tadashi Yamashina, he is effectively a suit, a businessman and not racing material. His CV states that in his 31 years with the company, he was only introduced to Formula One and motorsport two years ago.

Sure he has leadership, but what about making the decisions a team principal has to? A team principal who has been in the paddock for years and knows how the team works, not one who's just been dropped in from the corporation. Add race experience or race leadership to the top, and the possibilities are endless.

Toyota needs to be fixed up, and it needs to be fixed up badly if they are going to start winning. They've been in business for seven seasons now. BMW-Sauber has already won in its third year, but Toyota is seriously lagging behind. Start moving already!